Sunday, 26 May 2013

Wow , we have sunshine !! what a fabulous start to the spring bank holidays . We definitely made the most of it today !!.

Last night while catching up with The Chelsea Flower show on T.V. ( one year I will get to go !! ) I had a spark of inspiration for today's trip out . We go to Harrogate on a regular basis and have often commented when we've seen the sign for R.H.S Harlow Carr that we must have a visit . After some Serious horticultural inspiration last night the idea popped into my head again about visiting , once we'd checked it out on line rhs.org.uk and it had got the green light from Mr P the trip was planned . Oh boy was I excited about this trip , we just had to sell it to the boys when they got up this morning .

The boys were happy with the suggestion , so I made a picnic and we set off . When we arrived the sun was out and so were the blooms . Tulips were everywhere in splendid arrangements.

Auriculars are a particular favourite of mine , some years ago I spent a chunk of money trying to build up a collection but I'm not sure what I did wrong but they all died . They are a flower I always admire whenever I see them . So I was in very happy place when I saw theses .

Oh how I would love a miniature one of these with my very own collection , I can but dream !

There was a little Victorian potting shed all set out as I would have been in times gone by and I just fell in love with its soft muted and worn colour palette , these are sooooo my colours .

We strolled in the warmth of the sun soaking up the visual feast and found inspiration in every turn we took .

As well as taking in the heady scents of the Rhododendrons .

This was a particular favourite with the boys , there was a Tree house and log maze to explores and lots of piles of logs to climb. In fact just before we got to this area for the boys to explore my youngest uttered the words any parent dreads hearing on an outing " I'm bored , I wish I'd brought my D.S " oh Sigh went I ( and not flamin likely with the D.S scenario !) But that was it , once there was something to climb and explore the boredom was forgotten .

This was a spot where I wandered and daydreamed about one day owning a veg plot and raised beds .

Ooooooo Alpines , Mr P. and I do like alpines and the Alpine house was full of miniature inspiration .

And these little Cacti reminded me of needle felted balls and I adore the colours .I think this colour palette would look good in a blanket .

We spent a good part of the day at Harlow Carr where we had relaxed and re-charged our batteries . When we left we bought a little piece of Harlow Carr to have on our door step . I couldn't resist an Auricular and a tiny Alpine for our garden .

They look so sweet potted up on our doorstep . Oh it makes me happy looking at my little pots of plants .

Well I what hope that what ever you've been up to you've have a lovely weekend too !!
Thanks for popping by and ta ta for now . Tracy xx

Sunday, 19 May 2013

Well hello , I do seem to be a stranger to these parts of late . Be assured I have given myself a right good talking to and am living in hope that I can manage to pop by a lot more often . I must admit though I have been seriously juggling my time and working myself hard . Unfortunately I must sleep and this always wins out at the end of the day !! literally .

What have I been up to over the last few weeks ? eerrrmm well , making stock ! Lucy and I have decided the date for our first open studio event , unfortunately am going to keep you in suspense for a little longer with regards to the date as we want to do a big announcement very very soon . As you can imagine there is smoke coming of my fingers , I want there to be lots of handmade goodies that are made with love for people to look at and hopefully buy . However we are also still sorting fixtures and fittings and I have bought some much needed equipment that is essential for the production of my creations . This week my budget has allowed me to buy a much needed iron and ironing board , so with my studio Buddie in mind ( as she would have to spend a lot of time looking at it up) I bought this and it met with approval !! Very Lucy colours don't you think !

I wouldn't usually get so excited about an ironing board and iron but the difference it has made to my creative week is unbelievable . I have been at my most productive ever over the last week and I am going to the studio every day , straight from school drop off and don't return home until I have done the school pick up or on the days I'm able to I stay until 4 pm . I do have to nip out on a Monday , Tuesday and a Wednesday for my other job but that won't be for too much longer . The studio is starting to feel like a creative place of work and I can't wait to open the doors to the public !! Until then I am making making making !

I have had lots of fun playing with colour this week and I have had a thing for spotty and stripey legs which are soooo sweet .......

....but I have (unusually for me ) enjoyed playing with soft pink tones as well .

Friday evening I sat planning a new make which I plan to start this week and so I started putting little fabric collections together .

I am really looking forward to staring this make and sharing it with you , then I can have a Ta da moment but for now all I can tell you is they are called ' home sweet home ' Angels .

On Thursday evening I had a bit of a spur of the moment make , crochet bunting . This is it blocked out ...

......and this is it in place , in 'Coopers cafe bar' where our studio is based .

But I was a little Hasty and didn't leave it blocked for long enough as I wanted it up before I left on Friday afternoon , It will be taken back down tomorrow and done properly and maybe helped with a little starch .

I made it with the intention of drawing customers attention to this sign and swelling our numbers to our ever growing group of yarn loving ladies . I think I need to make more bunting as it was fun but I do need to take more time over blocking , lesson learnt !! But it was fun .

Today I have had a little break from working as I am working 7 days a week at the moment . We had a little family jaunt out to Harrogate , we love Sunday shopping in Harrogate it's so relaxed and best of all it's got a new Wool shop . Leeds based 'baa ram ewe' has opened a branch in Harrogate , yayyy !! This has hit my happy button big style . Very easy to find ( even though I went in the wrong direction ) it's only a stones throw away from Betty's Tea rooms . Check out their web page for directions www.baaramewe.co.uk

I could have spent a small fortune and will be going back to do that when my funds allow , I also saw quite a number of knitting books I would like for the studio . But I rained myself in and remained focused and had a

little splurge on some 'Rowan fine tweed ' in a soft smokey blue that is destined to be a' Yorkshire mill Mouse' shawl . As well as this hand dyed 4ply yarn produced by 'Eden Cottage Yarns' www.edencottageyarns.co.uk in a soft hue of misty greens which is going to become 'Linen Hare' jumpers .

I am looking forward to using these muted tones and matching them up with co ordinating fabrics .

So back too it in the morning and keeping those creative cogs turning . I hope you have some creativity in your week ahead and thank you for popping by and ta ta for now . Tracy x

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About Me

Hi I'm Tracy ,I'm a true Yorkshire lass that lives in the gate way to the Dales . My life pretty much revolves around my family ( 2 boys & husband ) and Textiles . There isn't a day goes by that I'm not working on something either sewn , quilted , appliqued, knitted or crocheted. I'm hoping one day I can make a living out of my creations. Follow me on my journey and maybe I can share with you my ideas and inspirations .

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I am happy to be sharing with you the things that inspire me as well as my ideas/designs and creations . I hope in turn they give you a burst of inspiration or a spark of an idea . But please ask my permission before using my images . Please please do not copy my designs and creations for financial gain .Please respect my copyright as I respect yours . I am a very approachable person and If you have any queries please get in touch . Thankyou